responsible
responsible Lexical Profile
responsible Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Having an obligation to do something, or having control over or care for someone, as part of one's job or role.
"The department manager is directly responsible for overseeing the annual budget."
Capable of being trusted to do what is right or expected; reliable and showing good judgment.
"They hired a responsible college student to look after the children during the summer."
Being the primary cause of something and so able to be blamed or credited for it.
"A sudden drop in temperature was responsible for the crop damage across the valley."
Involving important duties, independent decision-making, or significant authority (of a job or position).
"After years of dedicated service, she was promoted to a highly responsible position within the firm."
Word Nuance & Usage
The meaning of 'responsible' shifts depending on its position in a sentence: before a noun, it typically means 'trustworthy and reliable' (e.g., 'a responsible person'), whereas after a noun or linking verb, it means 'having control over or being the cause of something' (e.g., 'the person responsible for the project').
• Rhymes for responsible
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century from Middle French responsable, from Late Latin responsabilis ('requiring an answer'), derived from Latin respondere ('to respond, pledge in return'), from re- ('back') + spondere ('to pledge').